Nigerian Government urged to protect telecoms infrastructure, improve power supply

*Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, a media entrepreneur and Chairman of Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, appeals to the government to ensure protection of all telecommunications infrastructure, and declare electricity supply a national emergency in the country

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

In order to enhance the important sector’s operational service delivery to consumers, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has appealed to the Nigerian Government to ensure protection of all telecommunications infrastructure in the West African country.

ConsumerConnect gathered Engr. Adebayo, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Royal FM, 95.1, a privately owned radio station in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, stated this Friday, November 19, 2021, on the occasion of 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the radio station.

Telecoms infrastructure in Nigeria

The expert appealed to the government to protect the telecoms infrastructure located across the country so as to avoid being vandalised by men of the underworld.

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Doing this, he noted, would also assist the telecoms service providers to serve the Nigerian consumers and boost the economic activities of the populace.

Government should declare power sector ‘a national emergency’

In a related development, and in view of the seemingly perpetual irregular electricity generation and supply in the country over time, the ALTON Chairman also, has urged the Federal Government to declare the power supply as a matter of national emergency with a view to saving several thousands of businesses from collapse in Nigeria.

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According to him, the epileptic power supply in the country has become a threat to the growth of the businesses in the country.

This ugly development has hindered many businesses to grow, especially in the operational duties of Radio stations, said he.

Adebayo stated: “On many occasions, we have been running our Radio station on diesel, and this is not economical at the end of the day.

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“In my radio station, I have five generators that I have been using; and these consumed a lot of diesel when the power supply was not available for service.

“Out of the 10 years, for the last six years we have been running generators permanently.”

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He also said: “And this is not good for growth at all because the money being committed to the buying of diesel can be used to invest in another business that can still be useful for the masses.

“It is also worrisome now that, no employment opportunities in public service again, and the private investors that are employing people should be encouraged by making sure all the necessary needs that can improve their businesses must be provided.”

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While calling on the Federal Government to declare power supply as a national emergency, Adebayo said that the development would go a long way to stabilise the business activities and improve the economic growth of the country.

Adebayo, who used the occasion to laud the support of the workers of the Royal FM, Ilorin, for their commitment and unalloyed support for the growth of the Radio station, noted that their support has pushed the radio station on a national pedestal.

He also commended the listeners for their advice and ideas which, according to him, have continued to serve a tonic towards the development of the station.